ISLAMABAD: A physical altercation erupted between members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) inside the National Assembly premises on Thursday, highlighting growing internal tensions within the opposition party.
According to sources, PTI Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Iqbal Afridi and Khurram Shahzad engaged in a heated confrontation near one of the Parliament House gates, which escalated into pushing and shoving. The incident drew immediate attention from fellow lawmakers and security personnel present at the scene.
Iqbal Afridi alleged that he was deliberately being prevented from raising concerns on the floor of the House regarding an ongoing security operation in his constituency. Speaking to reporters later, Afridi said that certain individuals within PTI were acting against party interests and were intentionally silencing him.
“There is an operation underway in my area, but I am not being allowed to speak in the assembly or even ask questions,” Afridi claimed. He further accused party members of undermining him for highlighting public concerns related to the operation.
The situation worsened when PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan arrived at the scene in an attempt to mediate and defuse tensions between the two lawmakers. However, Afridi reportedly reacted angrily and held Barrister Gohar responsible for the dispute.
Afridi accused the party leadership of encouraging indiscipline, alleging that he was being deliberately targeted to damage his reputation. The confrontation eventually subsided after intervention by other party members and parliamentary staff.
The incident has sparked discussions about internal divisions within PTI at a time when the party is facing political and organizational challenges both inside and outside Parliament.
